A “living” legend in the Atlanta Metropolis Philoptochos Society is Tarpon Springs, Florida native Duchess Arfaras. Eighty-six-year-old Duchess simply “loves doing the work of Philoptochos,” and her devotion to help those in need inspired her journey to ultimately organize, fund and sustain the only Philoptochos social service “office” in the Metropolis of Atlanta.

The journey started in 1977 when Duchess became the first president of the charter chapter at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs. Her challenge was to persuade the established group of 300 women who raised money for the church to now become philanthropic workers for Philoptochos. With “please, thank you, and a smile” she invited them to meetings. Once “they came and saw” what the chapter was doing for those in need, the membership grew into “one large family, and they started raising money” for Philoptochos.

Duchess continued her leadership in both chapter and Metropolis roles, and she actively supported many fundraising events. Philoptochos fundraising for Duchess chimed a Greek saying: “Half the shame is mine for asking; half the shame is yours for telling me “no!” When the local chapter generated $25,000-$30,000, a combined food pantry and social service “office” was launched. Duchess is credited for her initial support and her ongoing efforts to support the project.

Located in a small space at the back of St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Philoptochos social service “office” is open three days a week to help the needy of the greater Tarpon Springs community. Two Philoptochos workers welcome, interview, and offer food and assistance (medical costs, living expenses, and other needs) to those who qualify.

“In January 1999, Archbishop Spyridon awarded the prestigious Medal of St. Paul to Duchess for her faithful and tireless efforts of serving those in need.”

Duchess continues to support chapter fundraisers to raise money for the poor. She serves as the Advisory Chair for the annual “Heart of Gold” fashion show, a fundraising event Duchess named “because if you are Philoptochos, you have a heart of gold.” She supports the chapter’s scholarship program and the Thanksgiving and Christmas gift certificates drive where admission to the Christmas party is a $25 or more gift certificate earmarked to help battered women and their children, many of whom attend the party.

Duchess’ legend also recognizes her efforts to help several families who were victims of a Florida hurricane. Because important records were lost, the stricken families did not qualify for aid, so Duchess made a direct plea to Archbishop Iakovos for help. He met with Duchess and agreed to grant $5,000 assistance to each family.

In January 1999, Archbishop Spyridon awarded the prestigious Medal of St. Paul to Duchess for her faithful and tireless efforts of serving those in need. Duchess is a true Philoptochos legend indeed!

Duchess lives in Tarpon Springs. She has a daughter Irene Steffas, daughter in law Anna and son Damian and four grandsons – Nicholas Steffas, Michael Steffas, Michael Arfaras and Steven Arfaras Arfaras.

Marty Driscoll

“Bold, strong, decisive” are the words past National President Aphrodite Skeadas attributed to “Philoptochos women.” For many years at the Annunciation Cathedral in Atlanta, ninety-five-year-old Philoptochos member Georgia Tassopoulos has been just that…bold, strong, decisive.

Georgia’s strong commitment to Philoptochos started when she and her sister Helen attended a seminar at St. Basil’s Academy, the “new” school established by Philoptochos to care for Orthodox children at risk. She “saw how much St. Basil’s Academy needed help,” and so she joined Philoptochos faithfully supporting many Vasilopita celebrations and activities to benefit the children.

As a young member, Georgia helped with war relief and bake sales. She recognized the need to expand programs and was “impressed by the older woman who had the courage to take on new projects.” She followed, determined to strengthen their lead. She visited and supported Our House, a safe place for needy children to spend the day while mothers trained for a job. Boldly, she reached out to the Atlanta Union Mission, a growing inner-city shelter for homeless men and women. She volunteered at the Savannah Street Mission to feed the hungry of the surrounding neighborhood.

Georgia’s talents were evident. She helped plan the first Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon held in Atlanta. On the chapter board, her decisive leadership enriched Membership programs and broadened Social Service efforts.

Though a strong “friend of the poor,” Georgia was devoted first to serving her church. She served as Co-Director of the Sunday School and was also a Sunday School teacher. Her innovative “summer” Sunday School class invited parents and children new to the area to come together for fellowship and a hands-on Bible lesson.

In later years, she and her husband Harry lovingly volunteered as Sunday “Greeters.” Together they also were active members of the first Annunciation Stewardship Committee.

Georgia Tassopoulos, a legacy of Philoptochos…definitely “bold, strong, decisive!”

Georgia lives in Atlanta. She and her husband Harry raised two sons, Kerry and Tim. Kerry lives in Dallas, TX with his wife Katina and their children Harrison, Cynthia, and Alexander. Tim and his wife Maria live in Atlanta with sons Luke and Nicholas.

Marty Driscoll

A “walking commercial” for Philoptochos and her Columbia, SC community is how soon-to-be ninety years young Sarah Davis likes to describe herself. Her marvelous smile and warm enthusiastic voice capture her “fabulous life full of loving family and friends,” and she “means every word of it!”

On June 24th at the 2015 Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Luncheon held in Columbia, Sarah was recognized for her many years of devoted philanthropic service. She was “overwhelmed, thrilled, and honored” and simply explained, “That wasn’t work. I did things I loved in Philoptochos.”

“Sarah’s love for Philoptochos started when her mother took her to her first meeting in 1946 at St. Katherine’s. Soon after Fr. Spiropoulos appointed Sarah as the special ”English” secretary since the meetings were held in Greek and an English translation was needed.”

Sarah’s love for Philoptochos started when her mother took her to her first meeting in 1946 at St. Katherine’s. Soon after Fr. Spiropoulos appointed Sarah as the special “English” secretary since the meetings were held in Greek and an English translation was needed. Among her many outreach efforts, Sarah faithfully drove a bus once a week shuttling mental patients to and from Craft Farrow Hospital. She volunteered in the spirit of Philoptochos as a Pink Lady at the local general hospital. She also sang in the church choir, served as GOYA advisor and taught Sunday School. For many years Sarah helped to bake pastries and manage a special pastry booth at the Columbia church festival, one of the largest Greek festivals in the Southeast.

From her first role as “English Secretary” Sarah’s leadership was clearly evident and she went on to hold various chapter offices and committee chairs. Her commitment to philanthropy and her leadership skills were cited in 1972 when Sarah was chosen as the beloved Philoptochos President of the Atlanta District. She served as president from 1973-1975 and traveled the country attending National meetings and overseeing the expansion of southeastern chapters. In her travels, she met “so many really wonderful friends.”

Sarah credits her parents who emigrated from Greece and the parish priests of St. Katherine’s for her strong Orthodox background. She credits a very loving husband and understanding children who always were supportive in her many volunteer efforts and “made it easy” to do what was needed.

Sarah and her husband raised their two children in Columbia. Her daughter currently lives in Greenville, SC and her son in Amelia Island, FL. Several grandchildren and great grandchildren fill Sarah’s heart with love and joy. Her love of family, her admiration for her church community and her long-standing compassionate commitment as a “friend of the poor” truly makes Sarah a Philoptochos legacy.

Marty Driscoll

Dialecti Pappas, warmly referred to as “Tee” is a deeply spiritual Greek Orthodox woman, born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. Tee has offered herself to the service of philanthropy through her church (St. John the Divine), her Philoptochos chapter (Saints Anargyri), the public school system, and her Jacksonville community.

During her 33 years of professional employment, Tee worked for the IRS, but now only puts in a day or so at her brother’s architectural business. When Tee was a teenager she lost her father and found herself helping to support her family, helping her younger brother go to college, and devotedly took care of her mother during her battle with Alzheimer’s.

Having never married, she poured out all that God-given love to offering service to her church in so many ways. At a very young age she joined the choir, using that incredible soprano voice, and became the church organist and assistant choir director, and received the Patriarch Athenagoras Medal as a church musician. Tee has also received the Metropolis of Atlanta Archangel Michael Award by her community.

“What makes Tee Pappas an extraordinary woman of Faith can be summed up in one word – humility.”

As a fifty-plus-year member of Philoptochos she has served in every executive position, and innumerable chairmanships, and is considering running for the Philoptochos Board again. Tee was the first woman on the Parish Council of St. John the Divine, setting the way for more women to serve, and a member and past president of the Daughters of Penelope.

She delivers meals to the elderly with Meals on Wheels, cooks for Ronald McDonald House , volunteers through National Senior Service Corps, sorts clothes for Dignity U Wear and works at the Greek festival. When asked what has given her the most joy, she responds, “reading to disadvantaged kindergarten students through the Tale Tellers of Retired Senior Volunteer Program – you can’t imagine the joy these children give you!”

Tee enjoys traveling and has been to Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska and Nova Scotia,. While at home, she enjoys the Arts, a patron of the Symphony and the Jacksonville Little Theater.

Her chapter President says “What makes Tee Pappas an extraordinary woman of Faith can be summed up in one word – humility. Tee is never looking for recognition and in fact, is always working tirelessly to build others up. Tee’s life has always been about her sacrifice, commitment and passion to serve the Lord.”

Laura Nixon

Helen Malachias has dedicated herself to the work of Philoptochos for 55 years, the first three at the “Epta Paides” Chapter in Shreveport, and the last 52 with the “Elpis” Chapter in New Orleans. Over the years, she has served her chapter as President, Vice President and Secretary and innumerable chairmanships.

Born in Athens, Greece, her first years were spent at the family home in Megalo Pefko, a small town between Piraeus and Megara. In 1946, after the end of World War Two, the family emigrated to America. She attended school in DeRidder, Louisiana and graduated with a B.A. degree in Business Education from Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

After a short professional career with Standard Oil of New Jersey, she met her husband Charlie at an AHEPA Convention. They have been married for 52 years, and are the proud parents of sons, Ilya and Bobby, and two daughters, Kris McGee and Stacy Cosse. They are also blessed with eight precious grandchildren.

Her priest of many years, Fr. Anthony Stratis, says, “Helen is a woman of firm and dynamic faith with indomitable energy and a thoughtful and compassionate heart. While others stand around and talk about what needs to be done, Helen is already on the way toward accomplishing the task – with superior results! She is the backbone of a loving and supportive family, a sage advisor when one seeks her perspective, and eminently loyal and trustworthy to anyone who calls her their friend. In short, Helen is a woman of class who is genuinely good-hearted and compassionate and is a pillar of the church community in New Orleans.

Helen was awarded the Archdiocesan Medal of St. Paul as a tribute to her service to the church by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory. She served as Secretary of the Diocese Philoptochos Board in 1995-97, and in 2004, she was awarded the Archangel Michael Award. As Chapter President, she co-chaired a major endeavor, the Metropolis Clergy- Laity/Philoptochos Conference of 2011.

“Working with all the Clergy and the individuals involved with all these projects, has brought me the greatest blessings and the realization that so many offer so much love, hope, aid and joy to improve the lives of those less fortunate.”

Helen was appointed to the National Board by his Eminence Archbishop Iakovos in 1994 and has been a member for 20 years. She has chaired the AIDS-HIV Committee and the Credentials Committee at the National Conventions. She chaired the Aid to Greece and Cyprus Incentive for the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos and helped raise funds for the Center of Philanthropy. She is currently encouraging participation in the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Shrine.

In Fr. George Wilson’s words: “She epitomizes stewardship as she unselfishly gives of her time, talents and treasures to her beloved Cathedral community.”

As a member of the Holy Trinity, Helen co-chaired the fundraising for the Cathedral’s Interior & Iconography Committee, fundraising for the Hellenic Cultural Center, and co-chaired the Greek Festival Pastry Committee for over 40 years. She has continued to be a member of the choir for 45 years, and co-chairs the Archive’s Committee for the preservation and verification of the history of the Cathedral.

In her words she says, “Working with all the Clergy and the individuals involved with all these projects, has brought me the greatest blessings and the realization that so many offer so much love, hope, aid and joy to improve the lives of those less fortunate.”

After 43 years, Charlie recently retired from the family business, and they now have time to spend enjoying family, friends, and travelling but are still supporting the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Laura Nixon

Angeline Andrews is one of those people who will remain in your heart even after you have just met her. Anyone who has ever had pleasure of working with her, will always remember her encouraging manner, her cheerful personality, and her willingness to always undertake what others wouldn’t tackle.

Angeline was born in Cleveland, Ohio and married in Columbus, Ohio in 1946. She married Angelo Andrews and they started their life together in Charleston, SC. After living a short time in Charleston, they moved to Charlotte, NC where she started her altruistic career in Philoptochos in 1947 in the “Agia Elpis” Chapter. Angeline has a son and two daughters who are both very active in the church. When she wasn’t busy with Philoptochos, she spent her time creatively mastering crocheting, knitting and embroidery.

In her local chapter, she has held every executive position on the Philoptochos Board, which included a memorable and blessed 2 year term as President.

Angeline has also served Philoptochos as an Executive Treasurer on the Metropolis (Diocesan) Board. She was also very active in the Daughters of Penelope and served as a past President. On numerous occassions she has chaired her Philoptochos Chapter’s annual bake sale fundraiser. When the sale was later replaced by the church festival, Angeline gave her time to that cause as well, working tirelessly on fundraisers and giving her time to charity.

“I just turned all my love over to my church and to Philoptochos. I just had to be there doing for others!”

Her latest accomplishment was chairing the very successful Philoptochos cookbook “A Taste of Greek Tradition”, offering insight not only into our cooking, but also into our church’s faith, customs and Greek traditions.

Angeline was also nominated from her community as the first woman to receive the Archangel Michael Award. After the death of her husband Angelo, she says in her own words “I just turned all my love over to my church and to Philoptochos. I just had to be there doing for others!”

Through her unwavering faith and tenacity of spirit, Angeline Andrews has overcome the many obstacles declining health has presented her. She has never questioned God’s plan. She possesses no self-pity. Her faith in God has made her an example for others, to willingly and lovingly accept the will of God.

After her 2005 diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, Angeline’s health issues have made it impossible for her to attend church. Her diagnosis has not prevented her from participating in services.” (via her reading) wrote current president Georgia Andrews.

This past July at the church’s banquet hall, the Agia Elpis Philoptochos Chapter hosted a 90th happy birthday celebration for Angeline, complete with invitations, beautiful decorations, and plentiful food. Many friends, family and loved ones arrived to honor and pay tribute to her, including her family from out of state, daughters Mary Alice Kays and Celeste Alexander with their families, and her son George Andrews.

Laura Nixon

We proudly honor the Eighth National Philoptochos President, Mrs. Mimi Skandalakis, for her service as National President from 1994 through 1998.

Mrs. Skandalakis was appointed as National Philoptochos President by Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory in 1994 and was honored to lead this important philanthropic organization of the Church which she and her late, beloved husband, Dr. John Skandalakis served all their lives. Her goal was to expand the service offered by Philoptochos and to ensure inclusion so that everyone became engaged in the organization.

She raised awareness of critical social issues including presentations at the National Philoptochos Convention with special educational speakers and videos and promoted the enhanced role of women.

During her tenure as President, National Philoptochos pledged $100,000 for the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Resource Center at Hellenic College Holy Cross in Brookline, MA donating in total over $170,000.

National Philoptochos also initiated the Awards Program during her presidency that honors the excellent philanthropic works of the Philoptochos Chapters nationwide as well as participated in the International Year of the Family.

Mrs. Skandalakis encouraged all members to continue the good work of Philoptochos. Her daughter Vicky Scaljon is very proud to continue the legacy of her mother by serving on the National Board, along with Mimi’s granddaughter Mimi Godwin.

Laura Nixon